ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Special Service and Features
Milad-i-Sherif: Central Government holiday on 28th September
The Milad-i-Sherif holiday for Central Government offices in Kerala will be observed on 28th September . 27th September  will be a working day. The decision was announced by Central Government Employees' Welfare Coordination Committee based on the state government's decision to declare September 28th as a holiday.
NS
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Ministry of Heavy Industries
Arvind Sawant takes charge as Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister
Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Arvind Sawant being welcome by Heavy Industries Secretary, Asha Ram Sihag.
Arvind Sawant, Union Minister of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises assumed office today in the Ministry.
Speaking on this occasion the Minster said that both the departments of the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises are main contributors to employment generation in the country. He further said that he will make all efforts to re-generate and re-develop the sick industries under the Ministry and fulfil the main objective of the Government which is creation of jobs.
The Minister was welcomed by Heavy Industries, Secretary, Public Enterprises Secretary, Seema Bahuguna, senior officers of both Departments and Public Enterprises.
Ministry of Railways
COMPLETION OF GIRDER LAUNCHING OF 2ND FOB AT SANTRAGACHI MUCH AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
Kolkata, July 29, 2019
Traffic cum Power Block for Launching of 2nd Foot Over Bridge Girderat Santragachi in Howrah-Kharagpur section has successfully been completed well before the target time ie more than 2hrs 15 min before the schedule.
The launching plan was determined to 10 hrs.yesterday . The work started at 11.15 hrs and was completedin the evening. The work was executed by IRCON with their expertand experienced Railway Engineers. Sophisticated machinery tools & equipment were also used for successful launching program. This big work has been completed in advance with dedicated and untiring efforts of Railway officers and staff deployed at the site. South Eastern Railway has undertaken to construct this 2nd Foot Over Bridge at Santragachi to provide the facility to the huge passengers turn out at Santragachi for their easy dispersal & entry in the platforms.The normal movement of train services will resume as per pre- planned programme. Some Down EMU locals has been allowed up to Howrah after completion of blockUp EMU Special from Howrah towards Kharagpur has been arranged from 19.00 Hrs.
GM, South Eastern Railway expressed his satisfaction and congratulate all staffs and officer for their efforts to make the block program success.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Several new International standards of emission and safety measures in transport vehicles to be implement soon
The Government has embarked upon a transformational programme of implementing international standards of emission and safety measures in the transport vehicles. As such government is moving on the path of a long-term regulatory road map for the automobile industry to grow and increase its contribution to GDP. There are plans to bring Indian automotive industry at par with developed nations in such regulations.
The Indian automotive industry has kept pace with these changes and in recent years has undergone a number of changes in the domain of passenger safety, emission control and connected technology. One such highlight is leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI emission norms and hence achieving parity with Euro emission norms. These changes have also brought this industry at par with Europe, Japan and the US. Further, the much-needed amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act  have been well received as a positive step by the government.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has already notified a number of regulations for upgrading emission and safety features in Indian automobiles. These include the draft notifications for anti-lock braking systems, airbags, speed alert systems, reverse parking assist, crash standards, etc.
The Ministry is in the process of finalization of implementation of standards for electronic stability control systems  and brake assist systems for relevant categories by next two years. The notification of ESC for buses has been issued last year. Draft notification has also been issued for electronic stability control systems for buses, which is likely to be brought into force by April 2023.We are contemplating higher level of safety for all categories of vehicles.
The Ministry has identified certain priority areas for international standardisation in this field. These include the tyre pressure monitoring system, if fitted for certain categories of vehicles, which is likely to come into force by October this year. The standards for vehicle dimensions and safety of construction equipment vehicles have been notified. Similarly, notifications have already been issued for side stands, foot rests and external projections of 2-wheelers. These will come into force soon.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Distribution of Physical Aids & Assistive Devices to 262 Senior Citizens Under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana  and to 315 Divyangjan Under CSR Initiative of PTC at Noida
A Distribution camp for free of cost distribution of 896 Physical Aid and Assistive Living devices to Senior Citizens under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana  and 469 Assistive Aid & Devices among Divyangjan under the CSR initiative of Power Trading Corporation of India Ltd.  Foundation held on 29th June, 2019 in International Trade Expo Centre, Sector-62, NOIDA, Gautam Budhha Nagar. Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Member of Parliament, Gautam Budhha Nagar was the Chief Guest of the function.
At the function, as much as 869 number of Physical Aid and Assistive Living devices for a value of approx. Rs. 22 Lakhs were distributed among 262 identified Senior Citizens under BPL category of the district under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana. The Scheme aims at providing Senior Citizens, belonging to BPL category and suffering from any of the age related disability/infirmity viz. Low vision, Hearing impairment, Loss of teeth and Locomotor disability, with such assisted-living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions, overcoming the disability/infirmity manifested.
It was the 97th distribution camp organized under this scheme in the country. The beneficiaries were identified in the month of Sept-Oct last year during the assessment camp organized by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corp. of India , a PSU working under the aegis Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India in close association with District Administration,Gautam Buddha Nagar.
Under the Scheme, different category of Aids and Assisted-Living Devices were provided to eligible elderly beneficiary senior citizens, depending upon their physical impairment. In the distribution camp the following Aids and Assisted-Living Devices were provided as under: -
Walking sticks-191, Crutches- 12, Walkers- 03, Tetra pods/Tripods- 56, Hearing Aids- 328, Wheelchair- 07, Artificial Dentures - 32, Spectacles-143, Denture- 129.
Distribution of physical aids and assistive devices to 315 divyangjan under CSR initiative of PTC:
During the function as much as 315 Persons with different kind of disabilities were provided with 469 numbers of Aid and Assistive devices with the value of over Rs.50 Lakhs under the CSR initiative of Power Trading Corporation of India Ltd.  Foundation.
Various types of Aids and Assistive were distributed in the camp such as 63- Motorized Tricycle, 166-Tricycles, 16-Wheelchairs, 78-Crutches Axilla, 39-Walking Stick, 05-Rollator for Orthopedically Impaired persons, 24-Behind The Ear - Hearing Aid machines, 25-Smart Cane, 07-Daisy Player,08 Smart Phone, 32- Braille Kit, 02-MSIED Kit , 03- CP Chair for Children with Special Needs and 85 numbers of Prosthesis and Calipers were also fitted to the identified beneficiaries in the camp.
Shri D. R Sarin, CMD, ALIMCO and senior officersof Power Trading Corporation of India Ltd. , officials of District Administration & ALIMCO were present during the event.
Ministry of Defence
Air Marshal MSG Menon, VSM takes over as Director General  of IAF
Air Marshal MSG Menon VSM was commissioned in Administrative branch of IAF in Dec 1982. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Calicut University. He has undergone Higher Air Command Course from College of Air Warfare. He is an alumnus of Defence Service Staff College Wellington and the prestigious National Defence College.
The Air Marshal is a Cat 'AYE' Air Traffic Controller and has commanded an operational radar unit at a major flying station. He was a member of the first UN Mission to Sudan. He has tenated the appointments of Chief Administration Officer at AF Station Jalahalli, Director National Defence University. He has served as the Commandant of the prestigious Air Force Administrative College, Coimbatore and Principal Director Ops . On promotion to Air Vice Marshal, he was appointed as Assistance Chief of Air Staff .
For his distinguished service, the Air Marshal was commended by the VCAS in the year 2007. He was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal  by the Hon'ble President of India in the year 2016.
Prior to taking over as Director General , he was the Assistance Chief of Air Staff  at Air HQ.
He is married to Mrs. Lakshmi Menon and they are blessed with a daughter who is married and settled.
Ministry of Finance
82,072 assessment cases completed in faceless manner till 10th March 2021
Income tax assessments are being done in a faceless manner, this was stated by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
The Minister further stated that income tax assessments are being done in a faceless manner, except as provided hereunder:
- Assessment Orders in cases assigned to central Charges,
- Assessment Order in cases assigned to International Tax Charges.
Faceless assessments have been initiated for the purposes of making assessment of total income or loss of the assessee under section 143 or 144 of the Income tax Act, 1961 to impart greater efficiency, transparency and accountability by eliminating the interface between the Assessing Officer and the assessee in the course of proceedings to the extent technologically feasible, optimising utilisation of the resources through economies of scale and functional specialisation and introducing a team-based assessment with dynamic jurisdiction, the Minister stated.
The Minister stated that till 10th March, 2021, total of 82,072 assessment cases have been completed in faceless manner.
Giving more details, the Minister stated that an independent study to ascertain assessees' experiences in faceless manner is being conducted by National Council of Applied Economic Research . Department of Economic Affairs , Central Board of Direct Taxes  have a tripartite arrangement with NCAER for conducting this independent assessment of Faceless Assessment Scheme of the CBDT.
The Minister further stated that no proposal for scrutiny of GST assessment in a faceless mode is under consideration of the Government presently as the GST laws and rules made thereunder already provide for electronic filing and assessment of returns on the common portal. With regard to Serious Fraud Investigation Office the information is also nil.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
E-MPUY 2 launched to achieve 100 per cent LPG penetration. Free LPG connections under PMUY touch 6 crore mark.
Kolkata, January, 03, 2019.
With the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana  scheme, LPG penetration in West Bengal has increased from 40.5 per cent in August 2014 to 88.1per cent in December 2018. The number of LPG customers has also gone up to 195.75 lakhs in December, 2018 against 86.64 lakhs in August, 2014, informed Shri Abhijit Dey, Chief General Manager, , Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. here today. Interacting with the media persons Shri Dey informed that 6 crore free LPG connections so far have been distributed under the PMUY scheme. PMUY, a scheme to provide 5 crore deposit-free LPG connections to women belonging to the Below Poverty Line  families in India, has been subsequently increased to cover 8 crore with a budgetary allocation of Rs 12,800 crore.
Shri Dey stated that the Extended Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana-2  scheme has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs . He said, under this scheme, BPL households not covered under the Socio-Economic Cast Census  data and EPMUY would be facilitated to avail of the PMUY LPG connection by showing their Ration Cards. This scheme will lead to near 100 per cent LPG penetration in the state, he added.
To create awareness among rural households and expand LPG coverage further, 2778 LPG Panachayats out of 14 thousand, have been conducted so far throughout the state to educate users on safe use and benefits of LPG, he informed.
Several initiatives including home delivery by Grameen Distributorships have been taken to provide hassle free services to the consumers. In case of emergency, one can call on 1906 emergency services. For queries and help related to PMUY, one can call on Toll Free No. 18002333555.
Shri Amitava Majumdar, Chief General Manager, I/C, West Bengal, IOCL and Smt. Maria Bhattacharya, General Manager  were also present on the occasion.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Special FTCs in the Country
Department of Justice has started a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in October 2019 for setting up of 1023 Fast Track Special Courts  for expeditious trial and disposal of cases related to rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences  Act, in pursuance to the Criminal Law  Act 2018. Initially, the scheme was for 1 year which has now been continued up to 31.03.2023 at a cost of Rs. 1,572.86 crore with central share of Rs.971.70 crore. Central share is to be met from the Nirbhaya Fund. State-wise details of functional FTSCs in the Country is given at Annexure.
728 FTSCs are functional in 28 States/ UTs which have disposed more than one lakh casesup to 30th June, 2022. As per Third Party Evaluation conducted by National Productivity Council, 17.64% of exclusive POCSO cases reported conviction. For robust implementation of the Scheme, this Department has created an online monitoring framework devised for monthly monitoring of case statistics. With a view to further improve the performance of FTSCs, video conference meetingsare being undertaken regularly with the Registrar Generals of High Courts and State functionaries.
Annexure

|
|
S.No.
|
|
State/UT
|
|
No. of Functional FTSCs
|
|
1
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
12
|
|
2
|
|
Assam
|
|
17
|
|
3
|
|
Bihar
|
|
45
|
|
4
|
|
Chandigarh
|
|
01
|
|
5
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
15
|
|
6
|
|
Delhi
|
|
16
|
|
7
|
|
Goa
|
|
01
|
|
8
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
35
|
|
9
|
|
Haryana
|
|
16
|
|
10
|
|
Himachal P
|
|
06
|
|
11
|
|
J&K
|
|
04
|
|
12
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
22
|
|
13
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
25
|
|
14
|
|
Kerala
|
|
28
|
|
15
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
67
|
|
16
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
39
|
|
17
|
|
Manipur
|
|
02
|
|
18
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
05
|
|
19
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
03
|
|
20
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
01
|
|
21
|
|
Odisha
|
|
36
|
|
22
|
|
Punjab
|
|
12
|
|
23
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
45
|
|
24
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
14
|
|
25
|
|
Telangana
|
|
36
|
|
26
|
|
Tripura
|
|
03
|
|
27
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
218
|
|
28
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
04
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
728
This information was given by Minister for Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID19 Vaccination: Myths vs. Facts
Union Health Ministry committed to maintaining non-COVID essential healthcare services including immunization under Universal Immunization Programme 
India has achieved 99% DTP3 coverage in first quarter of 2021, highest coverage recorded till date
There have been some media reports alleging that lakhs of Indian children may have missed their routine vaccinations due to disruptions caused by COVID-19 leading to increased risk of future outbreaks and deaths.
These reports are not based on facts and do not reflect the true picture.
It is clarified that since the outbreak of the pandemic, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been focused towards maintaining essential services including immunization under the Universal Immunization Programme . The Ministry along with all States and UTs and development partners, has worked towards mitigating negative impacts of COVID-19 and taking urgent actions to ensure that children receive life-saving vaccines under UIP.
Furthermore, as a result of commitment of Government of India and public health workforce, the country has achieved 99% DTP3 coverage in the first quarter of 2021  as measured by HMIS. This is the highest DTP3 coverage measured till date.
In order to mitigate negative impacts of COVID-19 on vaccination services, many other steps have also been taken. These include:
- A national guideline to safely continue immunisation services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including polio Supplementary Immunisation Activities , has been developed.
- State and district level trainings on new guidelines are conducted to ensure safe delivery of vaccines as per COVID-19 guidelines and keeping CAB in mind.
- In order to identify reasons for missed vaccine doses, monitoring & supervision is being done by state and district task forces for prompt corrective action.
- High risk groups/areas , districts with low vaccine coverage, etc.) for risk mitigation have been identified.
- Intensified Mission Indradhanush  in identified 250 high risk districts was conducted wherein more than 9.5 lakh children and 2.24 lakh pregnant women were vaccinated.
- One national immunisation round and two sub-national rounds have been conducted to maintain high population immunity against polio.
- A Risk Communication and Community Engagement Strategy  for COVID-19 has been developed and implemented. Integrated communication messaging for uptake of essential services including immunization which includes the urban area and RCCE capacity building modules has also been developed and implemented for frontline workers and line department functionaries.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
IFFI will be awarded the ICFT-UNESCO Fellini medal
Goa : 27.11.2019
In a press conference held at IFFI today, Georges Dupont, Director General, International Council for Film Television and Audio-visual Communication  announced that ICFT-UNESCO Fellini medal will be awarded to International Film Festival of India  on completion of its glorious 50 years. Project Manager, ICFT Ms Xueyuan Hun was also present at the press conference.
"We realised IFFI was the place to be. We are happy to learn you are celebrating the 50th year. IFFI is a lighthouse to the rest and you have to shine the light to the rest of the world”, Mr. Dupont said.
Movies are becoming more aggressive these days and that is good in a way because now, people can see what actually happened and do not remain blind to their surroundings Mr. Dupont added.
Xueyuan Hun spoke about the upcoming platform to be launched next year that strives to follow on three goals: build peace, stimulate creation in youngsters and explore the endless opportunity of moving images. It hopes to foster, better communication between youngsters and professionals to make more innovations, with ultimate aim of building peace in people’s mind.
With reference to inculcating education at a school level in making films that promote peace, Hun said, "The moving image is the most powerful way to express an idea. What to teach and what you can do with moving image is the key. Media education is about information, expression and what people can learn from what media gives.” In terms of connecting young filmmakers in India to the youth platform, Hun said they would be happy to develop further projects between IFFI and ICFT, next year.
On ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Award Mr. Dupont said that the films for the awards are screened by IFFI and that the ICFT jury evaluates the films based on the ideals of UNESCO.
IFFI collaborates with the International Council for Film, Television and Audiovisual Communication  Paris, to present a special ICFT Prize consisting of the UNESCO Gandhi Medal. The UNESCO issued commemorative medal in 1994, marking the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. Since then the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Award is being given to a film that best reflects Mahatma Gandhi's ideals of peace, tolerance and non-violence. This year 7 foreign renowned films namely Ama Khando, Oray, Rwanda, Sanctorum, The Infiltrators, The Warden, Vitality and one Indian film  will compete for this exemplary award.
IFFI is considered to be Asia’s one of the oldest and prestigious Film Festival delivering a diverse array of compelling films, panel discussions, and other special events. This Golden Jubilee edition showcases over 200 best films from 76 countries.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Central Consumer Protection Authority issues Advisory to e-commerce entities against illegal sale and facilitation of wireless jammers
Sale and use of wireless jammers is prohibited for general consumption and its facilitation by e-commerce platforms shall be viewed as an illegal activity and a violation of consumer rights
The Central Consumer Protection Authority  has issued an Advisory to e-commerce entities concerning selling or facilitating sale of wireless jammers to consumers through their e-commerce platforms.
Sale and use of any wireless device without authorization/license under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 or Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act  1933, unless exempted by rules, is illegal. Jammers come under the purview of IWTA, 1933 and the Act lays down that license is required for possession and use of jammers.
As per the Guidelines issued by the Government of India, Jammers may be allowed only under exceptional circumstances, only when authorized by Secretary , Cabinet Secretariat. The guidelines can be accessed at https://cabsec.gov.in/others/jammerpolicy.
It may be mentioned that the Department of Telecommunication issued an Advisory on 21.01.2022 with reference to illegal facilitation and sale of wireless jammers on online platforms. Also, Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has issued a Letter to all e-commerce entities to comply with the rules and regulation laid down by the Government of India against sale and purchase of any kind of mobile jammers.
Under Section 18 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, CCPA is empowered to protect, promote and enforce the rights of consumers as a class, and prevent violation of consumers’ rights. Further, CCPA is empowered to prevent unfair trade practices and ensure that no person engages himself in unfair trade practices.
CCPA is continuously monitoring the consumer protection landscape in the country. Recently, CCPA issued Safety Notices under Section 18 of the Act to alert and caution consumers against buying goods which do not hold valid ISI Mark and violate compulsory BIS standards. The first Safety Notice was issued with regard to Helmets, Pressure Cookers and Cooking gas cylinders and the second Safety Notice was issued with regard to household goods including electric immersion water heaters, sewing machines, microwave ovens, domestic gas stoves with LPG etc.
To safeguard consumer rights while shopping online, CCPA has also issued an Advisory to all marketplace e-commerce entities to ensure that details of sellers as mandated under sub-rule  of rule 6 of the Consumer Protection  Rules, 2020 including name and contact number of the grievance officer are provided in a clear and accessible manner, displayed prominently to users on the platform.